Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River

Yosemite's other grand canyon: deep, wild, and almost nobody goes there.

Sierra NevadaYosemite National ParkModerate-Strenuous4 daysPoint-to-point
Miles
33
Elev gain
6,000 ft
Peak
8,660'
Best months
Late Jun - Aug

Description

Yosemite's other grand canyon. Deeper and wilder than anything you'll see from Glacier Point, with a fraction of the people. The Tuolumne River carves through granite walls as you descend from high meadows into a canyon few visitors ever see. The waterfall at the bottom is one of the park's best-kept secrets. This route rewards strong hikers who want the feeling of real wilderness inside a famous national park.

Trailheads

Start: White Wolf
End: Tuolumne Meadows

Logistics

  • Permit required: Yes (Yosemite NPS - 24 week lottery)
  • Bear canister: Required
  • Shuttle required: Yes

Key features

  • waterfalls
  • granite peaks
  • alpine meadows
  • Tuolumne River
  • swimming holes
  • solitude

Day by day

Day 1
White Wolf THPate Valley
11 mi+620/-3,700 ft gain

Water: Tuolumne River

Descend into canyon; hot at lower elevations

Day 2
Pate ValleyGrand Mountain area
7 mi+2,050/-1,100 ft gain

Water: Tuolumne River

River views, swimming holes

Day 3
Grand Mountain areaCalifornia Falls camp
7 mi+2,050/-400 ft gain

Water: Tuolumne River, Return Creek

Spectacular waterfalls section

Day 4
California Falls campTuolumne Meadows
7 mi+1,200/-400 ft gain

Water: Tuolumne River, Glen Aulin

Waterwheel Falls, Glen Aulin; YARTS bus back to White Wolf

Side trips

Swimming holes throughout the canyon

Notes

Car shuttle or YARTS bus needed; stream crossings can be dangerous early season; very hot in canyon during summer

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